Auto
Toyota’s Ghana assembly plant takes off, targets Nigeria, other markets
Leading global automaker, Toyota Motor Corporation, has set up an assembly plant in Ghana with an annual capacity of 1,330 units, the bulk of which they plan to sell to the big Nigerian market and other West African countries.
The inauguration of the assembly plant was performed on Tuesday by Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who expressed excitement at the second major automaker coming to establish factories in the country in the last one year.
Akuffo-Addo said at the ceremony, which took place at Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Company Limited at Freezones Enclave, Tema, that Ghana aimed to boost its auto sector and attract automakers with generous fiscal incentives to assemble and produce cars in the country.
He said, “The use of foreign exchange to import cars in Ghana will be reduced, at the same time, the export of made in Ghana cars to other African markets will earn our nation much needed foreign exchange.”
According to Reuters, the Toyota-Ghana assembly unit, a $7 million investment with annual production capacity of around 1,330 units, followed the launch by Volkswagen of a 5,000 unit per year capacity assembly facility in August 2020.
The plants are the result of global automakers such as VW, Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Peugeot waking up to the potential of the African market, traditionally dominated by used-car sales.
Ironically, while Ghana is celebrating the opening of new vehicle assembly plants, Nigerian auto assemblers are lamenting lack of patronage, influx of imported used vehicles and high cost of doing business crippling their operation as well as sending many out of business.
Toyota Nigeria Limited had some two years ago celebrated the assembling of few units of Toyota Hiase from its Lagos assembly plant but nothing has been heard about the factory since then.
Nigeria has an annual demand of about 1.5 million vehicles, out of which about one million are being imported, the bulk of which are used or Tokunbo.
According to an International Trade Administration’s report, the production of vehicles in Nigeria declined from 350,000 in 2017 to 150,000 in 2020.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Ichiro Kashitani, had announced in 2019 that the company would start assembling its vehicles in Ghana from August 2020.
This announcement was made at the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7), in Japan, where President Muhamadu Buhari had, in a meeting with Kshitani, asked Toyota to establish a plant in Nigeria.
Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo had said the signing of the MoU with Toyota Tsusho was in line with the vision of making Ghana an automotive hub for West Africa and the larger African market.
He said Ghana was the base to reach the larger African market with the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking further at the Toyota plant inauguration, Akufo-Addo said he was pleased that the plant had become a reality despite claims by some persons that it was only a hoax “which will never see the light of day”.
He said, “Government attaches great importance to the development of the automobile industry in Ghana.”
Ghana Minister for Trade and industry, Alan Kyerematen, also said at the event that the establishment of the plant in the country was a step towards the local manufacturing of cars in Ghana.
“In Africa, we import millions of dollars of cars. I’m very confident that with what we’re doing here, very soon, we will see made-in-Ghana cars all around Africa. The industry will create highly skilled jobs and promote training opportunities for the youth of our country. It will also have multiplying effect by stimulating the growth of other sectors of our economy,” Kyerematen said.
![]()
Auto
Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion
Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion
Abuja is set for a major dose of electrified motoring as Jetour Nigeria takes its technologically advanced T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the nation’s capital for an experiential showcase aimed at deepening the brand’s growing footprint in Nigeria.
The Jetour T2 PHEV will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded at the brand’s Lagos edition earlier this year, where customer participation, test drives and sales enquiries reportedly surged.
The move to Abuja, according to Jetour Nigeria, was largely driven by growing demand from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory who have been seeking an opportunity to experience the brand’s latest vehicles, particularly the T2 PHEV.
The Abuja activation will feature test drives, product demonstrations and interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving prospective buyers first-hand access to the SUV and its plug-in hybrid technology.
Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor of the brand in the country, is also leveraging an expanding nationwide dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, TAB Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos to strengthen sales and after-sales support across key markets.
The company said the decision to stage the Abuja experience was also driven by requests from patrons and prospective customers in the capital who want an opportunity to experience Jetour’s latest products, including the technologically advanced T2 PHEV.
The Jetour T2 PHEV combines rugged SUV capability with hybrid efficiency, advanced technology and comprehensive safety features, positioning it as an attractive option for Nigerian motorists seeking performance, comfort and improved fuel economy.
Since its entry into the Nigerian market, Jetour has recorded growing acceptance, with its SUV range gaining popularity among families, professionals and adventure enthusiasts.
The brand’s expanding customer base has been supported by competitive pricing, after-sales service and vehicles engineered to cope with diverse road and driving conditions across Nigeria.
Jetour’s growing reputation has also been reinforced by a number of local and international recognitions spanning product quality, design, innovation and customer satisfaction.
Its vehicles have also earned strong global safety ratings, with the T2 achieving a 5-Star NCAP safety rating, placing it among vehicles meeting high benchmarks for occupant safety.
The Abuja event is expected to feature test drives, product demonstrations and direct interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the brand’s products and understand the technology behind the T2 PHEV.
Beyond showcasing its expanding SUV lineup, Jetour said the Abuja activation reflects its commitment to bringing the brand’s ownership and customer experience closer to motorists across Nigeria.
With the Federal Capital Territory as its next destination, Jetour is looking to build on the momentum generated in Lagos while deepening its footprint in one of Nigeria’s most important automotive markets.
![]()
Auto
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
Japanese automobile giant, Honda, has overhauled its operations in Nigeria, dissolving its automobile arm, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited, and folding its business into Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited.
The restructuring, which took effect on September 1, 2026, followed the sanctioning of the merger by the Federal High Court, with HMN emerging as the surviving entity.
Under the new arrangement, HAWA, which had been responsible for Honda’s automobile business operations in the country, has ceased to exist as a separate corporate entity, while HMN has taken over its assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and ongoing business operations.
Honda, however, moved quickly to allay concerns over the development, assuring customers, dealers and business partners that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile operations or affect the level of service and support they receive.
In a notification to its business partners dated August 31, 2026, Honda said the restructuring had resulted in the consolidation of both companies into “one unified entity”, with HMN assuming all assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, contracts, undertakings and business operations previously held or conducted by HAWA.
READ ALSO:
- Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers
- Veteran Nollywood Actress Cries Out for Financial Help Over Cervical Cancer Battle
- MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission
The development means that existing relationships, arrangements and commitments involving HAWA will henceforth be managed and administered by HMN.
The company, however, stressed that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile business operations in Nigeria.
“Automobile business operations previously conducted by HAWA will continue under HMN without interruption,” Honda assured its partners, adding that it remained committed to maintaining the same level of service, support and cooperation that customers and business partners had come to expect.
The restructuring is also expected to streamline Honda’s corporate structure in Nigeria by bringing its manufacturing and automobile business operations under a single surviving entity.
Honda said it was currently updating relevant corporate records and information as part of the integration process. These include corporate details, registered address, authorised signatories, management information and other related documentation.
It added that any changes requiring the attention of its business partners would be communicated in due course.
The company further requested the continued support and cooperation of its partners during the transition, while providing a copy of the Federal High Court order sanctioning the merger as an appendix to its notification.
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
![]()
Auto
Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience
Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience
Abuja is gearing up for a major motoring spectacle as Jetour Nigeria brings its fast-growing brand experience to the Federal Capital Territory, with the stylish Jetour X50 set to take centre stage in a three-day showcase of performance, technology and automotive innovation.
Scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, the Jetour Experience Abuja will move beyond the conventional vehicle exhibition, giving motorists and prospective buyers the opportunity to test-drive the X50, interact with automotive specialists and experience a range of entertainment and interactive activities.
The Abuja activation follows the strong reception recorded during Jetour Nigeria’s recent Lagos experience and forms part of the automaker’s strategy to deepen customer engagement while expanding its footprint across Nigeria.
Backed by an expanding authorised dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era AutoVehicle Services, Jetour is also strengthening access to vehicle sales, after-sales support, genuine spare parts and certified technical services nationwide.
At the heart of the Abuja experience will be the Jetour X50, a compact SUV designed to combine contemporary styling, performance and a technology-rich driving environment.
Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission, the X50 has positioned itself as a strong contender in Nigeria’s competitive compact SUV segment.
Jetour has equipped the model with a range of premium features, including a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Detection, 10.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and leather upholstery.
The combination of technology, comfort and performance is part of Jetour’s strategy of offering premium motoring features at competitive price points.
The Abuja event also highlights Jetour’s aggressive expansion strategy in Nigeria, following the brand’s recognition with industry accolades including Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year.
With its expanding dealer network providing nationwide sales and after-sales support, Jetour is seeking to deepen customer engagement while making its vehicles and ownership services more accessible to motorists across the country.
As Abuja prepares to welcome the Jetour Experience, the three-day activation is expected to provide motorists with an opportunity to see, feel and drive the X50 while experiencing first-hand what is driving the brand’s growing appeal in Nigeria.
![]()
-
Politics1 day agoAmaechi will be caged politically, Wike shouldn’t bother about Ikwerre votes — Wihioka
-
Education3 days agoFG opens six-month teacher certification for BSc, HND, ND holders – How to Apply
-
Politics1 day agoRemi Tinubu Appeals To South-East Voters, Says She Wants To ‘Enjoy Nigeria’ In Old Age
-
metro1 day agoResidents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention
-
Feature2 days agoLagos Records 33,009 Domestic Violence Cases Amid Economic Hardship
-
metro1 day agoPolice Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice
-
News3 days agoYamal Fires Back at Mbappé: “I’m Not Going to Beg” for Ballon d’Or
-
Politics3 days agoBenue Govt Blasts Obi Over ‘Unapproved’ Visit: ‘He Is Looking For Our Trouble’
